BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The invention is now illustrated by reference to preferred embodiments thereof. Numeral 10 indicates the combined mechanical utility container of the invention, which has rigid box, shell or enclosure 12 having access doorway 14 and a plurality of openings (not all shown) for connection of external components to internal systems and storage means. Doorway 14 can be replaced by a roof/ceiling or wall access hatch. Container 10 a rigid box, shell, or enclosure, is fabricated from suitable conventional non-combustible structural building material for external use, as would be known by those skilled in the art. It has external width of 8 feet 2 inches, external height of 8 feet, and length from 12 to 20 feet. Its cross section is identical to that of a standard shipping container, and in fact the system can be built in a standard shipping container. Two can be transported together by road as a semitrailer load, one together with its internal load (without water) weighs 10,000 -20,000 lbs can be moved using a forklift, although by suitable attachments other forms of lifting may be used, such as cranes, loaders, back-hoes, cherry-pickers (bucket-loaders) and the like. Its walls are typically four inches thick including cladding leaving an internal width of 7 feet 6 inches. Apart from the access door only apertures for five water conduits are needed for potable water entry and exit, grey water entry and exit, and excess grey water discharge. A power inlet and possibly air duct(s) for heating and air conditioning are also needed. None of which are beyond the skill of trained workmen. Besides walls and roof (not shown) enclosure 10 has load-bearing floor 16 and raised about 2 feet above this load-bearing subfloor 18 . Additional strength is provided by longitudinal beams and transverse bends or bays 20 and 22 formed by paired upright studs linking paired horizontal joists, the lower beams and joists support the floor, while the upper support the subfloor. A lower transverse support wall 24 between water treatment and storage and furnace provides additional strength. Corridor 26 allows access for normal sized human beings from doorway 14 . The strengthening of the container is necessary because most commercially available economically priced components while capable of holding liquid water are not otherwise designed to bear loads. The length variation of the enclosure as required by specific site conditions is achieved by varying the number of structural bends, in this case 12, 16 or 24 inch bends.

[0040] Untreated water is stored in optional external frost protected 22,000 liter (5812 US gallon) potable water storage cistern 28 , conveniently underground, or internal potable storage cistern 30 , usually only one is present. Internal potable water cistern 30 is 2×5½×5½ to 13½ feet having a capacity from about 1700 to about 4200 liters, depending on enclosure length. Internal cistern 30 may be present when trucked water is supplied. External cistern 28 is supplied by suitable freshwater, for example rainwater, meltwater, wellwater, springwater, riverwater, lakewater, trucked water and the like. While it makes no sense in the context of the invention to supply cisterns 28 and 30 from a treated municipal water supply, it is possible to do so. Conduit 32 brings water from external cistern 28 into enclosure 10 through aperture 34 . Water from cistern 28 or 30 is then passed through potable water treatment system 36 . First it passes through filter 38 which removes turbidity and particulate matter. Filter 38 may be a sequential multi-media filter of gravel (or rough sand), slow sand and activated charcoal, as those skilled in the art realize other conventional filters of like effect may be used, such as membrane filters. The filtered water from filter 38 then goes to 250 gallon (300 US) potable cold water storage tank 40 . The potable water is then passed through filter 42 , to remove big-organisms and other living matter, which maybe be a W filter, other conventional filters of like effect, such as ozone, ionized resin, and reverse osmosis filters, as would be known to those skilled in the art, may be used for the same purpose instead. Filters 38 and 42 may be integrated together into a single pass system, such as commercially available combined ozonation device with filter. From filter 42 water passes into pressurized potable water storage tank 44 , whence is flows through potable water conduit 46 to the potable water system of the building, where it is used for drinking, washing and cooking water in kitchen and bathroom sinks. Conveniently opening 48 carries several water conduits. Hot potable water tank 50 may be supplied either directly from filter 42 or from pressurized water storage tank 44 . Hot potable water tank SO is heated by solar hot water-heat exchanger tank 52 . Potable water treatment system 36 is contained between lateral support walls 54 and 56 , which support shelf 58 , on which are filters 38 and 42 , and pressurized storage tank 44 .

[0041] The sequence of filters 38 and 42 , and storage tanks 40 and 44 is generally as described, the order of filters is as described, but their location can vary with respect to storage tanks, as those skilled in the art would realize.

[0042] After use potable water along with other wastewater returns via wastewater conduit 60 to wastewater treatment system 62 , which is physically apart and separate from water treatment system 36 , being separated by subfloor 18 and lateral wall 56 . The wastewater flows into 500 gallon (600 us) dual chamber septic tank 64 with cleanout opening 66 , the septic tank has a height desirably less than a meter, preferably less than ¾ meter, conveniently 2 feet. An external opening in enclosure 10 (not shown) allows access to septic tank cleanout 66 . Wastewater from septic tank 64 is pumped into recirculation tank 68 , which provides an anoxic mixing zone for nitrogen removal by denitrification. From tank 68 it proceeds to biofilter 70 . The treated water from biofilter 70 is split into three streams the bulk is recycled to recirculation tank 68 , while the rest is fed either to underground leachfield disposal bed 74 via wastewater conduit 72 , or to polishing system 76 . First it passes through filter 78 which removes turbidity and particulate matter. Filter 78 may be a sequential multi-media filter of gravel (or rough sand), slow sand and activated charcoal, as those skilled in the art realize other conventional filters of like effect may be used, such as membrane filters. The filtered water from filter 78 is then passed through filter 80 , to remove big-organisms and other living matter, which maybe be an ozone filter, other conventional filters of like effect, such as UV, ionized resin, and reverse osmosis filters, as would be known to those skilled in the art, may be used for the same purpose instead. Filters 78 and 80 may be integrated together into a single pass system, such as commercially available combined ozonation device with filter. After filter 80 the treated water goes to grey water storage tank 82 and thence to secondary (grey) water conduit 84 to grey water system of the building for laundry, bath tub, showers and toilets and any other outlets such as garden hose, sprinkler systems, etc. Wastewater from these passes back into septic tank 64 , by wastewater conduit 60 . The water volume in wastewater treatment system 62 , including septic tank 64 , biofilter 70 , polishing system 76 and tanks 68 and 82 is maintained constant, as additional water enters as wastewater from potable water system, excess volume is passed out to disposal bed 74 . Structural support shelf 86 a strong fibreglass-reinforced-plastic or metal grating 1½ inches thick with openings 1½×½ inches supports grey water storage tank 82 and biofilter 70 above wastewater recirculation tank 68 . Grey water storage tank 82 is approximately 4×4×25 feet (about 2250 liters), biofilter 70 is 4 feet tall by 4 feet in diameter (about 1400 liters), wastewater recirculation tank 68 is about 1×3×7 feet (about 1000 liters), septic tank 64 is about 2×6×7 feet (about 2550 liters). The filters in polishing system 76 may be varied in location and particulate filter 78 is generally upstream of storage tank 82 , while the biorganism filter 80 is generally downstream, but this can be varied. The only restriction, which is economic and practical, is that water passing back into recirculation tank 68 and out to leachfield 74 is not passed through these filters. Due to recirculation and grey water re-use leachfield 74 requires substantially less capacity and consequently can be installed with much less environmental intrusion and considerably less cost than a conventional septic field.

[0043] Additionally and conveniently furnace 88 , which may be electric, gas, oil, propane or other conventional furnace, heats the dwelling or other building, an internal (double walled) or external oil tank or external propane tank is provided when needed. Where the furnace is elsewhere in the building, a minor heating device is provided to prevent the system freezing, except in climates where freezing is impossible. Associated with furnace 88 is HRV or ERV 90 , included necessary ductwork, additionally conventional air conditioning devices may be associated with or built into furnace 88 . Zone control valves 92 for a hydropic heating system associated with furnace 88 may be conveniently wall mounted within container 10 . Although electricity may be supplied by solar (photovoltaic), storage battery, grid system or local generator, a storage battery bank 94 and a control panel 96 for a photovoltaic solar system are also conveniently provided. An integrated monitoring system for the water recycling system may be present with remote dial-up control equipment 98 . Also thermostat control 100 , generator 102 and a sprinkler system 104 , fed from the grey water supply are typically present. When oil tank 110 is required, which must be double walled, it is behind hot potable water tank 50 and solar hot water-heat exchanger tank 52 , with external access through the container wall. Structural support wall 54 acts as a firewall. FIGS. 2 and 3 show how container 10 may be located with respect to dwellings 106 and 108 .

[0044] Both septic tank 64 and internal cistern 30 are secured in foam(ed) material which may be plastic in the base of container 10 .

[0045] Currently Waterloo Biofilters™ contemplated as a possible biofilter 70 remove solids including E. coli , other bacteria, amoebae, etc., to 99.9999% efficiency. At present it is known that for Waterloo Biolfilter™ the wastewater must percolate through 4 feet (1 ¼ meters) to be cleansed effectively, greater depth doesn't add efficiency, lesser doesn't work as well. Two passes each of 2 feet depth were considered, but it was found that a single pass of 4 feet was necessary. Current Waterloo Biofilters™ have circular tanks and wastewater is sprayed from a nozzle. Other biofiltering media are available using the circular or square tanks, and as those skilled in the art are aware, such media having the same effect may be used for the same purpose instead.

[0046] Sand/charcoal filters and Waterloo Biofilters™ tend to plug eventually, when water ceases to flow through them they are replaced. This is a self monitoring safety feature, because contaminants cannot pass through the grey water system. Biofilters may be cleaned instead. Backwash mechanisms to clean sand/charcoal filters are known and will be usually incorporated in the systems.

[0047] When the internal components are installed, they are connected by connecting tubes or hoses. These connections are preferably flexible, cross-linked polyethylene tubing, (e.g Wirsbo AquaPEX (TM) type). The filters, pumps, and other equipment, such as switches are mounted on slidable shelves, in slidable drawers or on slidable carriages, or hingeably mounted on walls, or slidable shelves, drawers and carriages for easy access, maintenance and repair. The assembled components are tested under controlled environmental conditions, before shipping to the construction site, where it will typically be placed on a slab-on-grade or reinforced floor structure, and suitably connected to building input and output connections.

[0048] As septic tank 64 may require removal or replacement, a section of wall adjacent septic tank 64 is removable to allow this, being attached by bolts for example. Septic tank cleanout 66 will generally have an access hatch in the adjacent container wall.

[0049] As a safety feature a sprinkler system pressurized from grey water storage tank 82 is present mounted in the roof/ceiling of container 10 . As noted the preferred building heating system is hydronic (circulated heated water or steam).

[0050] The container allows the substantial advantage of mass production of a specialized and standardized prefabricated unit to service any type of building, which can be tested before installation. The combination of preassembled mechanical components within the container allows the substantial advantage of uniformity of standard components. Further the container together with its mechanical elements form a singular, new, distinct, prefabricated element with a different identity from the previous multitude of separate elements, separately installed and maintained, strewn around a building. The standard container although structurally integrated into the dwelling, retains its integrity because it's physically separate and can be removed and replaced or moved as needed. The individual mechanical components are permanently installed in the container and can be serviced in it. The container and its components can be monitored from remote location(s) and using exact installation diagrams and descriptions trouble-shooting, repair and maintenance will be simplified and standardized. This is especially important in remote locations, where the cost of skilled or qualified labour is prohibitive, and semi-skilled local labour may be used instead (for instance community handyman rather than fly-in plumbing contractor).

[0051] The components and systems described herein are those currently commercially available at economic costs and prices. As those skilled in the art are aware, other components and systems of similar functions and effects can be substituted therefor, provided they are commercially available at economic costs and prices. Conventional heating devices, ERV, HRV, air conditioning, solar, grid, or generator electricity supply are commercially available and may be built into the system.

[0052] In FIG. 10 , the components 230 for rendering the incoming water potable are contained within the room-structure 232 . A port 234 in the wall of the room-structure transfers potable water to the building. Hot water for the building is derived by diverting some of the potable water through a boiler 235 , and into a hot water storage tank 236 .

[0053] The hot and cold potable water is used in the building in such things as sinks, bath, shower, drinking water, etc, as indicated at 237 .

[0054] The effluent or used potable water is collected, and fed back into the room-structure 232 via port 238 . The used water passes through a water recycling plant 239 . From there, the recycled water is fed once again to the building, through port 240 , where it is used for such purposes as toilet flushing, washing machine, etc. If the recycled water is not hot enough for the intended purpose, it is preferred not to heat the recycled water, as such, but to take the hot water again from the hot potable water supply.

[0055] Effluent water from the toilet flushing and washing machine is conveyed back to the room-structure, through port 242 , where it is fed into a wastewater treatment plant 243 . This plant includes a septic tank 245 . In the septic tank, the water remains stationary for a period of time. The period is long enough that solid materials in the water can settle out. Denser solids sink to the bottom of the water in the septic tank, and lighter solids float to the surface: in a well set-up septic tank, the body of water becomes substantially clear of solids. In the septic tank, the anaerobic conditions in the water, and the length of time such conditions are maintained, means that the micro-biological reactions can take place which reduce (i.e digest) organic materials dissolved or suspended in the water. The period of time the water spends in the septic tank is long enough that the water leaves the septic tank substantially clear of solids, and substantially clear of dissolved organic material.

[0056] The water from the septic tank contains dissolved ammonium, and the water must be aerated to oxidise the ammonium. This is done by passing the water from the septic tank 245 into an aerator 246 (which is a Waterloo Biofilter). Here, the water is sprinkled onto a heap of cubes of spongy foam material. The sponge cubes keep the water held up in the air for a considerable time period, during which the aeration reactions can take place. Complete nitrification of the ammonium can usually be accomplished in one pass through a Waterloo Biofilter, but it can be arranged for the water to pass through the aerator more than once, if need be.

[0057] The treated wastewater is recycled again, through the toilet, washing machine, etc 247 . In fact, it is possible to clean the water in the wastewater treatment plant to potable (drinking) standards, if desired, whereby the recycled water can be used for the sinks, bath, showers, etc. Using the recycled water only in the non-potable uses, however, generally finds more favour with the building occupants.

[0058] If the septic tank becomes too full, the excess water is drained off, and is allowed to soak away, as at 248 .

[0059] It will be noted that the used potable water from the sink, bath, shower, etc 237 is fed through the septic tank, along with the wastewater from the toilet and washing machine 247 , even though the quantity of solids and organics in the used water from those potable systems is quite low. In fact, the presence of the sink-bath-shower water serves to enhance the performance of the septic tank, i.e serves to promote the reactions which will break down the organic solids from the toilet. Also, the sink-bath-shower water itself contains pollutants, in the form of skin debris for example, which benefit as to their rate of breakdown from the ammonia present in, and from the anaerobic digestion reactions that are promoted by, a septic tank. Thus, combining the used potable water recycling treatment with the toilet wastewater treatment can benefit both.

[0060] Electricity for the building comes from a number of sources in and on the room-structure. These include a generator 249 driven by a diesel engine 250 , photo-voltaic cells 252 , possibly a windmill, batteries 253 , and the like. A fuel cell may be used instead, or a micro-hydro-electric generator, or even a nuclear generator.

[0061] The energy requirements in summer are often not demanding. Enough heat and electricity can be provided by running the engine 250 and generator 249 for 15 minutes, every other day. In fact, the engine should be run that often anyway, to prevent deterioration due to standing idle. An electrical controller 254 controls the different electrical sources, batteries, load monitoring, etc.

[0062] Hot water is provided by co-generation. There is plenty of heat available, in the coolant of the engine 250 , and from the exhaust pipe of the engine, to heat the hot water, even at 15 minutes every other day, in conjunction with solar panels 256 .

[0063] In winter, electricity and heating are both at a maximum when the engine is running. It can be expected that running the engine twice a day, for 30 minutes each time, early morning and at evening-meal time, will provide enough heat and electricity for those peak times, and to provide enough stored energy to carry through the rest of the time.

[0064] It may be noted that the heat from the engine twice a day not only heats the hot water, but keeps the room-structure 232 warm enough for the septic tank to maintain itself micro-biologically (whereas a septic tank located outside in very cold weather might cease reacting, even if it did not freeze up). Often, the problem with the system as described is to keep the interior of the room-structure from overheating, rather than to provide enough heat, even in winter. An excess-heat-shedding radiator 257 is located on the roof of the room-structure.

[0065] The co-generation system sometimes operates primarily to generate electricity, the heating then being a by-product, and sometimes primarily to generate heat, the electricity then being a by-product. It is recognised that in the designs as described herein any imbalance between the two, as measured at the co-generation system, will usually be quite small.

[0066] The system makes full use of heat exchangers. Heat is available from various circulating fluids, at various temperatures, and heat is required again at various temperatures. The heat exchanger controller 258 controls the circulation of fluid to promote the most efficient use of the heat available, commensurate with the requirement of the heat load. The different temperatures as are needed can be accommodated in physically separate heat exchanger cores 259 , 260 , 262 , as shown. Alternatively, one heat exchanger core might be sufficiently stratified as to temperature separated layers as to accommodate the various temperature requirements.

[0067] In the heat exchanger 259 , heat from the returning waste water and used water, which can be quite warm, is used to pre-heat cold potable water before that water enters the boiler. In the heat exchanger 260 , heat is transferred from outgoing stale (warm) air to incoming cold air from outside. In the main heat exchanger 262 , heat is transferred from the engine's coolant 263 and exhaust pipe 264 , solar collector panel 256 , and with the hot water tank 236 and the space heating system 265 . In FIG. 14 , the heat exchanger is arranged a little differently, with heat exchange also to the air in a forced-air heating and ventilation system.

[0068] The controller 258 can be used to activate pumps 267 (only one is shown, but pumps are fitted to each of the circulation systems) to circulate the various fluids, as required for maximum efficiency. Also, valves can be provided to divert fluid flows from one area to another, if desired.

[0069] It should be noted that although FIGS. 11 - 14 show the various circuits as being separated, of course this is just for convenience of illustration. As mentioned herein, much of the advantageous significance of the apparatus as described lies in the fact that the equipment and systems are coordinated together. As mentioned, the equipment and systems are not only physically integrated, i.e structured into the room-structure, but are functionally and operationally integrated. The central or main controller 270 ( FIG. 10 ) monitors and coordinates the interaction of the various systems.

[0070] The walls of the room-structure 232 are well insulated thermally (and of course the building itself should have good insulation). The enclosed thermally insulated room-structure can be expected incidentally to have good sound insulation, also. The intention is that people should not go into the room-structure in winter, because leaving the door open in sub-zero conditions might cause serious damage. Similarly, the engine should not be allowed to stand cold, and should be started periodically even when no-one is occupying the building. The resulting background heat keeps the septic tank and aerator etc functioning.

[0071] Of course, access might be required for servicing and to fit replacement parts. In this connection, it should be noted that the components used in the module can be standardised, or at least they can be recorded. The module was built in a factory, and SO it is an easy matter to keep records as to the type, size, brand, etc of components. The system can be geared to the special needs of servicing by phone; or at least so the serviceman knows what type of replacement pump to bring, which is important when he has to come long distances).

[0072] It has been emphasized that the module enables the whole utility apparatus to be structurally integrated into the room-structure. It should be noted that an exception to this desideratum usually will be the batteries. The batteries should be removed form the room-structure for transport. The batteries are very heavy, and their presence would affect the balance of the module when the module is being hoisted on a crane. The battery pack can be hoisted separately. Batteries are of course easy to connect, SO separation poses no problems.

[0073] The designs as described are aimed at promoting the combining of resource conservation with mechanical system integration to enhance overall energy efficiency.

[0074] The solar water system and the electrical system can be combined to support the space heating system, and the hot water heating system. The heat inside the thermally insulated module enhances the performance of the septic tank and other water treatment systems. Residual heat from the septic tank is not wasted, but keeps the container contents from freezing even in the coldest climate. Often, there need be no specific separate heating components, and a combination of residual heat gain, combined with efficient co-generation allows for a 90% utilization of fuel. Central ventilation can also be integrated and in fact can substitute a conventional heating system.

[0075] The same integration is applicable to the potable water system and the grey water re-circulation. The designs contain mechanical systems similar to municipal water plants, but on a micro scale. They are aimed at offering safe, reliable, well proven technology, but specifically tailored to stand-alone housing units.

[0076] The designs make integration feasible using existing “off the shelf” technology. Most components utilized in the designs as described are readily available proprietary units.

[0077] The module as described contains a number of distinct mechanical systems, plus a monitoring system. The design allows for remote troubleshooting and servicing. Each of the mechanical systems can operate on a stand-alone basis but the system integration allows for a greatly enhanced efficiency.

[0078] Although the described system is focused on a single family residential application, non-residential applications (remote airport buildings, mining camps, etc) can benefit from the invention.

[0079] The generation of potable water is site specific. The described designs allow for a variety of possibilities, including lake water, well water, trucked water and rain water collection.

[0080] The purification and maintenance of potable water, safe for human consumption, is the a function of the mechanical components which make up the potable water system. Incoming water is initially stored in an insulated cistern (located in the subfloor of the unit). Assuming a potable water consumption of 28 gallons per person per day (140 gallons per five person family) the storage capacity of the cistern will be approximately five to six days. The modular concept of the design allows the storage capacity to be increased, as required. Maximum storage capacity is 2000 gallons.

[0081] A multi-stage iodinated resin filter system provides water purification. As water containing micro-organisms (pathogenic viruses, bacteria and parasites) passes through a bed of resin, iodine molecules are released and de-activate or kill these organisms. In addition to the iodinated resin filters ceramic filters are integrated and the entire system can easily be modified to accept additional special filters allowing for removal of site-specific impurities in the water.

[0082] A potable water storage tank and conventional pressure system complement the potable water system. In-house plumbing is conventional but water saving features are integrated.

[0083] The sizing of the potable water system relies on the principle of resource conservation. Restrictions placed on the occupants of the building by the manner of presenting the utilities are hardly noticeable. The integrated use of water saving appliances allow for a considerable reduction of potable water consumption.

[0084] The non-potable recycled water system is designed to support the potable water system. The application of water conserving measures reduces the potable water consumption, but the re-cycling and re-use of water will greatly enhance the overall efficiency of the entire system.

[0085] The potable water used for cooking, dishwashing, bathing and shower is collected and treated in a special modified septic tank that acts as a primary treatment facility. A secondary treatment is provided by a biofilter. The tertiary treatment (similar to the potable water system) is provided by a sequential multi-media polishing system.

[0086] Non-potable recycled water preferably is only be re-used for the washing machine and toilet. Preferably, the system is so arranged that recycled water cannot be in contact with the primary potable water system.

[0087] The water-to-water heat exchanger core is a good example of what can result from the multi-purpose integration of the various utility functions.

[0088] The central water-to-water heat exchanger facility is the core of the heat generation and storage process. Beside providing heat for domestic hot water, this core supplies heat for the water-based space-heating requirements. Extraction of residual heat from wastewater, generation of heat from a solar hot-water collection system and extraction of residual heat from the exhaust of the co-generation system are combined with either a propane fired tankless on-demand hot water booster heater or hot water generation from a co-generation system.

[0089] Previously, it has not been worthwhile to provide such all-encompassing heat exchanging as is shown in the described designs. Heat exchangers generally do not have so many circuits and supplies and versatility, whereby the described multi-port water-to-water heat probably will not be available proprietarily, but will need to be custom-designed.

[0090] A conventional solar hot water generation system is tied into the central water-to-water heat exchanger and water storage core. The solar heat exchanger panels are mounted in a conventional way either on the roof of the module, or on the roof of the building to be serviced by the module.

[0091] The space heating system can either be a hydronic in-floor space heating system or a combined HRV/airhandler forced-air space heating system. Both systems rely on the central water-to-water heat exchanger and storage core to provide the main space-heating energy input requirements. Additional heat will be generated by either a propane-fired tankless on-demand hot water heater or the diesel-fired co-generation system. Mechanical components required for the space-heating systems are readily available and only require minor customization work.

[0092] To reduce the space-heating requirements and enhance overall system efficiency, it is preferred to incorporate super-insulated, R 2000 or similarly enhanced construction methods to the serviced building.

[0093] The module can have a factory-installed, integrated ventilation system. If forced-air space-heating is required, the HRV/air handler ventilation system simultaneously serves as the heating system. A water-to-air heat exchanger integrated into the ventilation system, supplied by hot water from the central water exchanger core, provides the required heat input.

[0094] Occasionally, the invention might be considered an economical option, even when there is mains electricity available. But the designs as described enable dwellings and other buildings to operate “unplugged” from a utility grid. Preferred electricity generation will be by means of photovoltaic cells, wind power, micro-hydro-electric generation systems, and the like, such as are available. Batteries provide electrical storage, and integrated physically into the container.

[0095] These proposed systems, in themselves, can be considered conventional and are readily available to be customized to particular site applications.

[0096] The integration of a stand-alone micro co-generation system into the container provides a backup for electricity generation as well as heat generation. Some of the options may be summarised as:

[0097] Micro co-generation systems based on internal combustion engine technology are commercially available.

[0098] More energy efficient Stirling engine based co-gen systems are becoming available commercially.

[0099] Fuel cell technology is developing and can be integrated into the present concept without modifications to the overall system integration structure.

[0100] All functions of the utility units and components contained in the module should be constantly monitored. Computer technology now allows for a seamless integration of remotely controlled mechanical system censoring, maintenance and troubleshooting.

[0101] The advantages of the manner of integrating the utility systems, as described herein, may be summarised as follows:

[0102] The assembled components are tested in a factory environment, under controlled conditions before shipping to the construction site.

[0103] The container allows the substantial advantage of mass production of a highly specialized but standardized pre-fabricated mechanical unit, to service more or less any style of building.

[0104] The use of pre-assembled mechanical components within the container allows the substantial advantage of uniformity of standard components.

[0105] The pre-fabricated container is supplied with the mechanical elements already functionally and structurally integrated inside the container; such an apparatus has a new identity, as compared with the previous multiplicity of separate elements, separately installed and maintained, strewn around a building.

[0106] The standard container, although integrated functionally into the dwelling or building, retains its physical integrity in that it is physically separate and can be removed and replaced at any time.

[0107] The individual mechanical components are permanently installed in the container and can be serviced in it, in that the designer took account of the need for service access when designing the layout of the module, and the juxtaposition of the components housed therein.

[0108] The container and its components can be monitored from remote locations; it is a simple matter to provide exact installation diagrams and descriptions, prepared at the time of manufacture, whereby troubleshooting and repair and maintenance can be simplified and standardized.

[0109] Some further advantages of the integrated combined utility module can be summarised as follows.

[0110] Because of the standardised, and known, layout of the module, the performance of the components can be monitored remotely.

[0111] Pre-fabrication of the module allows for rapid on-site installation, and minimal labour costs.

[0112] During shipment, the mechanical components are protected from transportation damages, which prevents many of the usual delays and downtime during the actual construction process.

[0113] The rigid enclosure provides protection for mechanical components after installation, and acts as a fire and spill containment barrier.

[0114] The fire risk to the serviced building also is much reduced, given that the utilities are housed in a separate module (fire being an especial danger in inaccessible areas).

[0115] Access to the mechanical equipment can be restricted to authorized personnel.

[0116] Following decommissioning of the (non-residential) building, the mechanical container can be removed without damage to the equipment and can be employed in another location. This portability of the utilities infrastructure can allow for the equipment to be leased rather than purchased.

[0117] In the case of e.g a mining camp, the environmental impact to the camp site location will be lessened; permanent installations (such as a septic system are not required, and an environmentally-uncontaminated site is left behind when the camp is moved.

[0118] The module can be built in such a way that maintenance can be done by the homeowner. The module may be provided with a comprehensive troubleshooting and servicing guide, which will allow the owner/occupant to perform minor servicing and maintenance tasks.

[0119] The module may be equipped with remote monitor and sensor devices, whereby locating and identifying problems is simplified. Factory production of the unit allows for a uniform design, which simplifies troubleshooting.

[0120] Even though the module is prefabricated, to the extent that assembly and installation work at the site is almost eliminated, it can be arranged that the components in the module can be changed or upgraded. For example, fuel-cell technology might progress to the point where it would be economical to replace the diesel-generator, and the module can be designed to accommodate that possibility.

[0121] Also, for example, the engine that drives the generator might be the engine of a vehicle. The designer should design the module so that the vehicle's engine can be utilised in that way. Alternatively, the designer might provide that the module contains a battery charging facility for an electric vehicle.

[0122] The module offers standard structural, mechanical and monitoring platform allowing seamless integration of existing equipment. The designer can also provide that additional novel or improved technologies can be integrated into the module at a future time.

[0123] The module design provides non-structural, modular integration of the unit into a dwelling or other building. The preferred connection point between the module and the building is a perpendicular “plumbing wall” directly abutting the module structure.

[0124] In case of modular, prefabricated housing units, this plumbing wall could be considered part of the module package, to facilitate easier installation procedures (and to eliminate complex dwelling/container connection detailing).

[0125] In conventionally constructed frame-housing, a pre-fabricated plumbing wall of course provides a constraint on the architect, but this is more than compensated for (at least economically) in that the need for at least one specialized trade (plumber) is eliminated.

[0126] One possible use of the integrated module of the invention is in the area of private subdivision development. It is much more economical for a developer to build several houses at a time, rather than one by one. However, the capital tied up in building houses prior to sale can be a problem. With the invention, several houses can be built together, ahead of sale, but the utilities module can be added later, when the house is finally sold. The release of capital can be very worthwhile.

[0127] The following tables identify some of the components that have been found to be suitable for use in the designs as described herein. The types, sizes, etc of the items are in respect of a particular residential application, and final decisions on components might be different in other cases, with different system requirements. For example, some of the indicated equipment would not be suitable for a mining camp; larger engines such as Cumnmins (TM) or Oman (TM) would be more likely to be selected, in that case.

[0128] FIG. 17 diagrammatically shows a room-structure 332 , in association with a habitable building. The room-structure 332 includes the utility plants and ports as described with reference the room-structure 232 to FIG. 10 , though most of these are omitted from FIG. 17 , for clarity.

[0129] In addition, the room-structure 332 contains an air purification station 350 . The station 350 includes an air filter 352 , which is of the absorbent type, containing e.g activated charcoal, which sorbs certain gases, fumes, vapours, etc, from the air. A fibrous or equivalent filter 354 serves to remove airborne particulates. Other, more sophisticated, air purification and disinfection means may be included, if desired, which may draw electric power from the generator 249 in the room-structure.

[0130] The air purification station 350 may be aimed generally at providing quality air for the building. But one of the preferred applications of the self-contained utility room-structure concept, as described herein, lies in designing the station 350 as a barrier against airborne toxic bio-chemical and other agents, and to remove such agents from the air supplied to the building, for use in the event of (or the fear of) a terrorism attack on the habitable building.

[0131] Preferably, the potable water treatment station 230 also includes provision for removing toxic agents from the incoming water. Providing the utilities in the room-structure, as described, has the effect that it is simple to add treatment stations that will be effective to purify both air and water. Even if the water supply is derived from municipal water mains, it can still be desirable to provide a station that will remove toxic agents from the water supplied to the building.

[0132] In an emergency, the building, with just clean air and clean water, can support the occupants for at least a short period, until the emergency passes. Where the room-structure also includes an engine/generator 249 , 250 , the building and the occupants can be basically functional, and can remain so for a longer period.

[0133] If the building is connected to municipal sewers, there would be less point in providing wastewater treatment within the room-structure, although that can be done if desired. If the building is not connected to the municipal sewers, a water treatment station, including recycling plant 239 and treatment plant 243 , should be provided in the room structure, as described in relation to FIG. 10 .

[0134] The room-structure 332 of FIG. 17 includes a firefighting station 356 . The station 356 includes a source of pressure, which is used for driving water and/or other firefighting liquids into e.g the sprinkler system of the building. It may be arranged that the firefighting facility be provided in respect of the room-structure itself, in addition to (or in place of) the building. The source of pressure may be a pump, powered by the engine/generator 249 , 250 , or the source of pressure may be pressurised gas stored in a bottle or canister.

[0135] In a simple case, the firefighting station 356 may be arranged to draw water from the various water tanks that are, or may be, present in the room-structure 332 . These include the potable water tank, and the recycled water tank. Water for firefighting may even be drawn from the septic tank 245 , if other water supplies have been exhausted.

[0136] In the applications with which the invention is mainly concerned, being buildings which are not connected to municipal water mains, the provision of enough water for firefighting can be an especial problem. Therefore, when provision is to be made for firefighting, the designer prefers to make use of techniques that make more efficient use of a limited water supply, for example by the use of foaming agents. Foaming agents can be kept in storage, over long periods, by being stored in pressurised canisters 357 , and are ready for emergency use upon being activated. The canisters 357 can be factory-assembled, as structures, into the module, in the same manner as the other structures as described.

[0137] The fact that the firefighting station 356 is provided in the room-structure 332 containing the other utilities means that it is easy to co-ordinate firefighting with the other facilities. The foaming agents, in their canisters, can be co-ordinated with the water tank or tanks. The co-ordination can be done automatically, or semi-automatically, by the use of sensors. The designer can see to it that the system caters for adverse contingencies, e.g in case the electric power generator might have failed, and beneficial contingencies, e.g in case copious water might be available. The fact of co-ordination, itself, facilitates development and progress, including testing of innovative ways of coordinating the various appliances, and the results of that can be incorporated into the final design of the room-structure. The prudent designer provides for emergency manual override of an automated system, and this, too, can readily be coordinated, given the room-structure.

[0138] Whatever the actual manner of co-ordination of the firefighting facility into the room-structure module, as a matter of practical detail, it should be appreciated that the main benefit of structuring the components into the room-structure is the fact of the ease with which the components, and the facilities provided by the components, can all be co-ordinated, and controlled, for best performance and efficiency. This is advantageous not only for the firefighting facility, but for most if not all the other facilities structured into the module.

[0139] There is a septic tank 245 in the room-structure 332 of FIG. 17 . It is generally the case, with a septic tank, that gases such as methane will collect in the confined airspace above the water, within the tank. Typically, septic tanks have had a vent/stack arrangement, to convey the gases away.

[0140] Since methane is a greenhouse gas, it is preferred to burn the methane from a septic tank 245 , rather than simply discharge it. Furthermore, it has been shown to be the case that methane (and some other gases) can be advantageously mixed with the air entering an internal combustion engine, such as the engine 250 . If done properly, at least some of the calorific value of the gases can be added to that of the engine's regular fuel. Thus, it is known, as an academic fact, that gases collected from a septic tank can, notionally, be used to improve the efficiency of an engine.

[0141] However, septic tanks and engines, traditionally, have not been physically co-ordinated into a single physical structure. Running gas pipes from a septic tank to an engine, and providing the associated sensors, control-valves, etc, if these things are custom-installed, in the field, onto two separate structures, is not practically conducive to good co-ordinated functioning; the designer would have no faith that the designed manner of coordination would be functioning properly, as he had designed it—not only not after a long service life, but not even immediately after installation. But when the septic tank 245 and the engine 250 are both installed in a structurally-unitary room-structure module, such as the factory-built room-structure 332 as described, and the co-ordinated functioning of same has been factory-tested, now the designer may be prepared to proceed.

[0142] In the room-structure 332 , gases from the septic-tank 245 are collected in a collector 358 , and conveyed to the air-intake 359 of the engine 250 . A controller 360 receives power from the generator 249 , and coordinates the operation of air valves and other controls.

[0143] Even if the building is connected to municipal mains, including electricity, water supply, and sewage disposal utilities—i.e even if the building is fully serviced—still there is benefit in providing a pre-fabricated utilities containment structure. In the case of a fully serviced building, the pre-fabricated structure should preferably include at least a water recycling station, and/or a pre-discharge water treatment station. These stations can be designed to reduce the overall volume or quantity of sewage discharged, and/or can be designed to reduce the volume of potentially polluting substances, such as phosphates, entering the municipal sewers.

[0144] Even if the building is fully serviced, the pre-fabricated structure should also preferably include a power plant, which makes full and efficient use of non-polluting energy sources, both for electricity generation, and for heating/cooling the building.

[0145] There are many cases of buildings which have access to municipal services, and yet the occupants wish to save energy, recycle water, reduce effluent discharge, etc. Appliances and structures for enabling these savings are widely available for purchase. But the task of mounting these appliances, and especially of coordinating them for best performance and efficiency, is left to the individual owner, and as such the task is too daunting. The pre-fabricated utilities containment structure provides a physical platform whereby the appliances and components may be mechanically mounted in a secure and space-efficient manner, in-factory. More importantly, the coordination between the appliances can be set up and tested in-factory. The pre-fabricated structure then is set to operate on a turn-key basis. The containment structure, with the appliances included, simply has to be delivered, and the various pipes and wires connected to the systems in the building, and operation can commence immediately, at optimal level.

[0146] As mentioned, the utilities containment structure is most efficacious when the building is not served by municipal utilities at all. The structures that may be mounted into the containment structure include such things as: wastewater management components; potable water delivery; water storage tanks; engine and generator; heat exchangers; purification and disinfection components; control components, including monitors, computers, and data loggers; alarm alert and auto dialler; and the associated pumps, pipes, valves, conduits, wires, fittings, fasteners, and related ancillary components. All this equipment is factory installed, and fixedly attached to the structure of the containment module, which is specifically designed for the task of mechanically supporting all the components, especially during the rigours of transport and installation. The factory installation allows for in-factory functional testing, before the module is shipped out, ready for installation and operation, as a mechanically-integrated whole unit.

[0147] The containment module preferably is constructed in such manner that none of the equipment, once factory-installed, has to be removed. The aim is that no modification or adjustment of the various appliances will be necessary on-site, after installation. Upon arrival at the host building, the module has to be connected to the building by means of water pipes, electrical cables, monitoring cables, air ducting, etc, and has to be connected to other items outside the module, such as wastewater soakaway, etc. But these connections are all done outside the module, and do not require the application of skilled technical judgement; after completion of the connections, the appliances inside the module are immediately ready to commence co-ordinated concerted operation.

[0148] The containment structure module may be incorporated into the structure of the building. Especially, the module may serve as the foundation of a building. In the case of a trailer or similar type of habitable building, the traditional practice is for the trailer to be installed raised three ft or so off the ground; it is economical to provide the containment structure as a box, four ft high, whereby, if the module is let into the ground a few inches, and the trailer rested thereon, a very convenient manner of disposing both the module and the trailer is achieved. If the box has the standard cargo-container dimensions (twenty ft long by eight ft wide), resting a suitably sized trailer on two of the boxes placed side by side provides a very satisfactory result.

[0149] The containment structure will usually be of metal; however, the designer may consider a containment structure made of concrete or other materials.

[0150] One area in which good economies may be expected is the use of a single containment structure module to serve a number of buildings. Thus, a group of e.g four or five houses may share the plants and appliances housed inside a single module.

[0151] The houses may be grouped around the utilities containment structure module, and the houses may share the walls of the module, whereby the houses would not be structurally secure but for sharing the module walls. Preferably, an access door into the module should be provided, which does not require access to the houses. Cluster-servicing of groups of houses can be arranged in many ways, and FIGS. 18 a - d show some examples.